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5
6

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

September 2013 Grand Jury

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,

10

Plaintiff,

11

12
13
14
15
16
17
18

Case No. 14CR0658-DMS

I N D I C T ME N T

- 1sU:persediiig)
v.
ISMAEL ZAMBADA-GARCIA (1)
aka "El Mayo,"
aka "Doc, "
,ISMAEL ZAMBADA-IMPERIAL (2),
aka "Mayito Gordo,"
aka "Good Guy,"
ISMAEL ZAMBADA-SICAIROS (3)
aka "Mayito Flaco,"
aka "Caballero,"
IVAN ARCHIVALDO GUZMAN- SALAZAR ( 4) ,
aka "Luis,"
aka "Chapito,"
I

Defendants.

19
20

~--------------------------------------~

21

The grand jury charges:

22
23

Title 21, u.s.c., Sec. 848(a)

and (b) - Continuing Criminal
Enterprise; Title 21, U.S.C.,
Sees. 959, 960, and 963 Conspiracy to Distribute
Methamphetamine, Cocaine and
Marijuana Intended for
Importation; Title 21, u.s.c.,
Sees. 952, 960, and 963 Conspiracy to Import
Methamphetamine, Cocaine and
Marijuana; Title 18, u.s.c.,
Sees. 1956 (h) and 1956 (a) (2) (A)Conspiracy to Launder Money;
Title 21, U.S.C., Sec. 853,
Title 18, U.S.C., Sec. 982, and
Title 28, U.S.C., Sec. 2461(c) Criminal Forfeiture

Introductory Allegations
At all times relevant to this

1.

24

criminal

organization known

25

Cartel

26

Sinaloa, Mexico.

is

transnational

27

2.

Under

28

aka "El

Mayo,"

the

ALB:nlv:San Diego
7/23/14

aka

as
drug

leadership
"Doc,"

the

Indictment,

"Sinaloa

trafficking

of

the

defendant
Sinaloa

there existed a

Cartel."

The

organization

ISMAEL

Cartel

Sinaloa

based

in

ZAMBADA-GARCIA,
operates

as

an

affiliation

of

drug

traffickers

and

money

launderers

located

in

2 multiple countries throughout the world who coordinate and pool their
3

collective resources in order to:

a.

b.

transport

drugs

through

Mexico

and

into

the

United

c.

distribute drugs to wholesale customers in the United

States;

from countries of supply in Asia and

Central and South America to Mexico;

transport drugs

States; and

10

d.

11

trafficking.

12

3.

collect,

launder,

and

transfer

the

proceeds

At all times relevant to this Indictment,

of

drug

defendant ISMAEL

13

ZAMBADA-GARCIA,

aka "El Mayo," aka "Doc," and members and associates

14

of

15

activities

16

South

17

Peru, Panama, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Guatemala,

18

as import large quantities of methamphetamine precursors from Asia to

19

Mexico.

20

and members and associates of the Sinaloa Cartel under him coordinated

21

the unloading of large shipments of cocaine in Mexico, and coordinated

22

the

23

Mexico.

24

and members and associates of the Sinaloa Cartel under him coordinated

25

their

26

cocaine, generally in shipments of hundreds of kilograms at a time, as

27

well

28

quantities of marijuana,

the Sinaloa Cartel

to

American

import

under him coordinated their drug trafficking

large quantities

countries,

including

of

Colombia,

Defendant ISMAEL ZAMBADA-GARCIA,

transportation

and

storage

of

these

Defendant ISMAEL ZAMBADA-GARCIA,

drug

as

trafficking

multi-kilogram

activities

quantities

cocaine

to

Ecuador,

cocaine

Central

and

Venezuela,

to Mexico, as well

aka "El Mayo,"

aka "Doc,"

shipments

aka "El Mayo

smuggle

of

from

large

1 "

within

aka "Doc

quantities

methamphetamine

and

1 "

of

ton-

from Mexico across the United States border,

2

and then into and throughout the United States,

California, and elsewhere.

3
4

including San Diego,

Structure and Organization

4.

At all times relevant to this Indictment,

the roles of the

various Sinaloa Cartel members were as follows:

a.

Defendant
one

10

from Central and South American countries to Mexico, and caused multi-

11

kilogram quantities of

12

transported from Mexico to the United States border, and

13

throughout

14

aka "El Mayo,"

15

transferred from

16

benefit of the Sinaloa Cartel's members and associates.

aka "El Mayo," aka "Doc," negotiated

methamphetamine and marijuana to be

States.

aka "Doc,"

the

Cartel.

the price for and caused to be obtained large quantities of cocaine

United

of

Sinaloa

cocaine,

leaders

Mayo,"

Defendant ISMAEL ZAMBADA-GARCIA,

the

primary

"El

b.

the

aka

aka "Doc,"

the

of

ZAMBADA-GARCIA,

17

was

ISMAEL

Defendant

ISMAEL

caused drug proceeds

United States

t~en

ZAMBADA-GARCIA,

to be

laundered and

to Mexico and elsewhere

Defendant ISMAEL ZAMBADA-IMPERIAL,

into and

aka

for

the

"Mayito Gordo,"

18

"Good Guy," the son of defendant ISMAEL. ZAMBADA-GARCIA,

19

kilogram quantities of cocaine and ton quantities of marijuana to be

20

transported from Mexico to the United States border, and then into"and

21

throughout

22

ZAMBADA-IMPERIAL

23

customers in the United States and laundered and transferred from the

24

United States to Mexico and elsewhere for the benefit of the Sinaloa

25

Cartel's members and associates ..

26

the

c.

United
further

States

for

distribution.

caused drug

proceeds

to

Defendant ISMAEL ZAMBADA-SICAIROS,

caused multi-

Defendant
be

aka

ISMAEL

collected

from

"Mayito Flaco,"

27

"Caballero," the son of defendant ISMAEL ZAMBADA-GARCIA, caused multi-

28

kilogram quantities of methamphetamine to be transported from Asia to

3

Once the methamphetamine arrived in Mexico,

defendant ISMAEL

Mexico.

ZAMBADA-SICAIROS caused it to be transported from Mexico to the United

States

distribution.

proceeds

laundered

and

transferred

elsewhere

for

the

associates.

border,

to

then

into

and

throughout

the

United States

for

Defendant ISMAEL ZAMBADA-SICAIROS further caused drug

be

d.

and

"Chapito,"

collected

from

the

from

benefit

Defendant

customers

of

in

United

United

States

Sinaloa

the

the

to

Cartel's

IVAN ARCHIVALDO GUZMAN-SALAZAR,

Mexico

and

members

and

aka

11

quantities of marijuana to be transported from Mexico to the United

12

States

13

distribution.

14

drug proceeds to be collected from customers in the United States and

15

laundered

and

transferred

16

elsewhere

for

the

17

associates.

and

throughout

the

and

United States

ton

for

Defendant IVAN ARCHIVALDO GUZMAN-SALAZAR further caused

from

benefit

of

the

United

the

States

Sinaloa

to

Cartel's

Mexico

and

members

and

Purpose and Methodology

18
19

then into

cocaine

"Luis,"

aka

and

of

and

10

border,

caused multi-kilogram quantities

States

5.

At all times relevant to this Indictment, defendants ISMAEL

20

ZAMBADA-GARCIA,

21

aka "Mayito Gordo,"

22

Flaco,"

23

aka "Chapito," and members and associates of the Sinaloa Cartel under

24

them pooled their collective

25

couriers

26

activities to:

27
28

aka

"Caballero,"

affiliated

a.

"El

Mayo,"

"Good Guy,"
IVAN

with

aka

"Doc,"

ZAMBADA-IMPERIAL,

ISMAEL ZAMBADA-SICAIROS,

ARCHIVALDO

the

ISMAEL

resources
Sinaloa

GUZMAN-SALAZAR,

aka "Mayito
aka

"Luis,"

and used shared networks

Cartel,

Cause large quantities of cocaine,

to

coordinate

of

their

methamphetamine and

other drugs and drug precursor chemicals to be imported from Asia and

Central

and South American countries,

2 Venezuela,
3

Mexico,

aircraft,

Peru,

using

Panama,
various

submarines

5 vessels,

container

Rica,

Costa
means,

and

Colombia,

Honduras,

and

including

cargo

submersible

other

ships,

including

supply

vessels,

7 private

and

commercial

interstate

and

Guatemala,

aircraft,

and

to

private

semi-submersible

go-fast

6 vessels, buses, rail cars, tractor trailers,

Ecuador,

boats,

fishing

trucks, automobiles, and

foreign

carriers.

After

the

8 drugs and drug precursor chemicals arrived in Mexico, the conspirators

9 used shared resources to unload and store the drugs in Mexico.
10

b.

Cause large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine and

11 marijuana, at times in shipments of hundreds of kilograms at a time,

12

to

be

transported

13

States border where the drugs were then stored in multiple warehouses,

14

stash

houses,

from

and

various

safe

houses

locations

located

in Mexico

in

the

to

areas

the

of

United

Tijuana,

15 Mexicali, and elsewhere.

16

c.

17 Mexico

Cause drugs to be smuggled across the United States-

border

through

19

trailers, trucks, fishing vessels and tunnels.

Cause
with

the

drugs

21

affiliated

22

houses,

23

of California and elsewhere.

means,

District

elsewhere

d.

multiple

Southern

18

20

using

the

including

of

California

automobiles,

and

tractor

to be unloaded by stash house operators

Sinaloa

Cartel,

and

stored

at

multiple

stash

safe houses, and warehouse locations in the Southern District

24

e.

Cause

cocaine,

25

transported

throughout

26

including

27

commercial interstate carriers.

28

II

automobiles,

the

methamphetamine
United

tractor

States,

trailers,

and
using

trucks,

marijuana
various
and

to

be

means,

private

and

f.

Cause cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana to be sold

and distributed to wholesale customers

California area; the greater Chicago, Illinois area, and elsewhere.

g.

in the greater Los Angeles,

Cause drugs proceeds to be collected from customers,

counted,

packaged,

States through the Southern District of California, and elsewhere, to

7 Mexico,

and

and

transferred

elsewhere,

using

and

multiple

laundered

means,

from

the

including

United

bulk

cash

smuggling, structured bank deposits, wire transfers, currency exchange

transfers,

alternative
use

11

systems

in

which

12

airplanes, were purchased in one location and transferred to another

13

location, and other methods by shared networks of money couriers and

14

money launderers associated with the Sinaloa Cartel.

items,

other

including

Use various means

their

luxury

goods-based
vehicles

17

cellular

18

messaging applications on smart phones, and email accounts.

i.

Use

trafficking

satellite

coded

activities,

telephones,

language

including

computers,

and other means

instant

to misrepresent,

20

conceal and hide,

21

hidden,

22

avoid detection and apprehension by law enforcement authorities.

and to cause to be misrepresented,

concealed and

the drug trafficking activities of the Sinaloa Cartel, and to

j.

23

and

communicate with each other in

order

telephones,

drug

high-end

means,

16

19

coordinate

to

traditional

transfer money

the

to

or

to

without

h.

wires

used

10

15

of

credit-based systems

drug

Use various means to evade law enforcement and protect

24

their

distribution

25

other weapons; bribing corrupt public officials; engaging in violence

26

and threats

27

members of

28

their own drug trafficking organization.

of violence;

activities,

including:

obtaining

guns

and

and intimidating with threats of violence

law enforcement,

rival drug traffickers,

and members of

Count 1

Paragraphs one through five of the Introductory Allegations

1.

of

this

though fully set forth herein.

Indictment

2.

are

realleged

and

incorporated by

reference

as

Beginning no later than in or about May 2005 and continuing

up to and including July 25,

California,

Mayo,"

continuing criminal enterprise by violating various felony provisions

the

and elsewhere,

aka

"Doc,

11

Controlled

did

10

of

11

Sections 801, et seq.),

12

States Code,

13 'sections 952,

within the Southern District of

defendant

knowingly

Substances

Sections

2014,

ISMAEL

and

Act

ZAMBADA-GARCIA,

intentionally

(Title

21,

aka

engage

United

"El

in

States

Code,

including but not limited to Title 21, United

959,

960 and 963,

960 and 963,

as alleged in Count 2,

as alleged in Count 3,

and

which violations

14

were part of a

15

undertaken by defendant in concert with five or more other person with

16

respect to whom defendant occupied a position of organizer, supervisor

17

and

18

series

19

resources.

20

other

position

of

3.

continuing series of violations of said Act and were

of

violations

management,
defendant

and

from

obtained

which

such

substantia~

continuing
income

and

Furthermore, defendant ISMAEL ZAMBADA-GARCIA, aka "El Mayo,

"Doc,"

21

aka

22

leader of

23

distribute 150 kilograms and more of cocaine, a Schedule II Controlled

24

Substance,

25

States, and a conspiracy to import 150 kilograms and more of cocaine,

26

27

place outside thereof.

28

All in violation of Title 21, U.S.C., Section 848(a) and (b).

Schedule

was
the

for

II

principal administrator,

criminal

enterprise,

which

the purpose of unlawful

Controlled Substance,

organizer,

11

involved

importation

into

the

supervisor and
a

conspiracy

into

United

to

the United

States

from

Count 2

1'

Beginning no later than in or about May 2005 and continuing up to

3 and including July 25,

aka

"Doc,"

2014, defendants ISMAEL ZAMBADA-GARCIA, aka "El

Mayo,"

ISMAEL

aka "Good

aka "Caballero,"

aka "Chapito,"

other,

distribute 500 grams and more of a mixture and substance containing a

ZAMBADA-SICAIROS,

ISMAEL

Guy,"

and
did

ZAMBADA-IMPERIAL,

IVAN

ARCHIVALDO

knowingly

and

aka
aka

"Mayito
"Mayito

GUZMAN-SALAZAR,

intentionally

aka

conspire

Gordo,"
Flaco,"
"Luis,"

with

each

and with other persons known and unknown to' the grand jury,

amount

of

methamphetamine

10

detectable

11

cocaine,

12

and

13

purpose

14

violation of Title 21, United States Code, Sections 959, 960, and 963.

both Schedule II

more

of
of

marijuana;
unlawful

and

5 kilograms

and

Controlled Substances;

and

Schedule

Substance;

importation

15

Controlled

into

the

United

1000

more

to

of

kilograms

States;

for

the

all

in

Count 3
Beginning no later than in or about May 2005 and continuing up to

16

including

17

and

18

California,

19

Mayo,

2 o aka "Good

25,

2014,

and elsewhere,
"Doc,"

aka

11

July

21

aka "Caballero,"

and

22

aka "Chapito,"

23

other,

24

import

25

detectable

26

cocaine,

27

and more of marijuana;

did

defendants

ISMAEL
ISMAEL

Guy,"

IVAN

within

the

Southern

ISMAEL ZAMBADA-GARCIA,

ZAMBADA-IMPERIAL,
ZAMBADA-SICAIROS,
ARCHIVALDO

knowingly

and

District

aka
aka

"Mayito
"Mayito

GUZMAN-SALAZAR,

intentionally

aka

conspire

of

aka

"El

Gordo,"
Flaco,"
"Luis,

with

each

and with other persons known and unknown to the grand jury,
500

grams

and

amount

of

both

more

of

mixture

methamphetamine

Schedule II
a

and

and
5

28

to

substance

containing a

kilograms

and

Controlled Substances;
Schedule

11

and 1000

Controlled Substance;

more

of

kilograms
into

the

United States from a place outside thereof; all in violation of Title

21, United States Code, Sections 952, 960, and 963.

Count 4

Beginning no later than in or about May 2005 and continuing up to

and

including

July

25,

2014,

California

Mayo,"

aka "Chapito,"

other,

10

commit

11

States Code,

12

monetary instruments and funds,

13

place in the United States to and through a place outside the United

14

States,

15

unlawful activity,

16

in violation of Title 18,

17

all in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1956(h).

and elsewhere,

aka

"Doc,"
did

and

within

defendants

IVAN

the

ISMAEL

ARCHIVALDO

knowingly

and

Southern

District

ZAMBADA-GARCIA,

GUZMAN-SALAZAR,

intentionally

aka

aka

conspire

of
"El

"Luis,"

with

each

and with other persons known and unknown to the grand jury, to
offenses

against

the

Section 1956,

with

the

intent

United

States

namely:

to

under

transport,

Title

18,

United

transmit and transfer

that is United States currency,

promote

the

carrying

on

of

from a

specified

that is the distribution of controlled substances,

18

United States Code,

Section 1956 (a) (2) (A);

FORFEITURE ALLEGATIONS
The

1.

19

allegations

contained

in

Counts

through

of

this

2o

Indictment

21

for the purpose of alleging forfeiture to the United States of America

22

pursuant

23

Section 853, and Title 18, United States Code, Section 982.

to

realleged and by reference

the

provisions

of

Title

fully

21,

incorporated herein

United States

Code,

As a result of the commission of the felony offenses alleged

2.

24

are

Counts

through

25

in

26

punishable

by

27

Title

21,

United

28

defendants

ISMAEL

of

imprisonment
States

this
for

Indictment,

more

Code,

than one

Sections

ZAMBADA-GARCIA,

aka

"El

said

violations

year

and pursuant

853 (a) (1)

Mayo,"

being

aka

and

to

853 (a) (2),

"Doc,"

ISMAEL

ZAMBADA-IMPERIAL,

SICAIROS,

GUZMAN-SALAZAR, aka

forfeit to the United States all their rights,

any and all property constituting,

defendant

felony offense alleged in this

used or intended to be used in any manner or part to commit and to

facilitate the commission of the violation alleged in this indictment.

aka

aka "Mayito Gordo," aka "Good Guy,"

"Mayito

obtained,

to

11

following:

12

States

13

Mercedes

14

GTR bearing

15

bearing

16

VIN #ZHWBU37S58LA02742.

1982

tail

number

SLR

VIN

"Chapito,"

or

includes,
210

bearing

shall,

indirectly,

and

and

as

#ZHWBU8AHXALA03904

any proceeds any

the

result

is

not

tail

limited

2010

and

of

the

number

the

United

XB-NKY;
2014

Lamborghini

2008

to,

#21064675,

#WDDAJ76F66M000890;

#JN1AR5EF4EM270727;

conviction,

title and interest in

bearing Serial

VIN

ARCHIVALDO

and any and all property

but

Mexican

IVAN
upon

or derived from,

Indictment,

Turbo

N1218U

McLaren
VIN

aka

11

forfeited

Cessna

aka "Caballero,"

11

directly

The

3.

be

"Luis,

10

17

property

Flaco,

ISMAEL ZAMBADA-

2006
Nissan

Murcielago

Lamborghini

bearing

As a result of the commission of the felony offense alleged

18

in

19

imprisonment for more than one year,

20

States

21

aka "El

22

aka "Luis,"

23

United States all rights,

24

involved in such offense, and any property traceable to such property.

25

Count

4.

of

Code,

Indictment,

Section

Mayo,

If

this

11

aka

any

aka

982(a) (1),
"Doc,"

"Chapito,

of

said violation

the

11

being punishable

by

and pursuant to Title 18, United

defendants

ISMAEL

ZAMBADA-GARCIA,
GUZMAN-SALAZAR,

and

IVAN

ARCHIVALDO

shall,

upon

conviction,

forfeit

to

the

title and interest in any and all property

above-described

forfeitable

26

result of any act or omission of the defendants:

21

II

28

II
10

property,

as

a.

cannot be located upon the exercise of due diligence;

b.

has been transferred or sold to,

or deposited with,

third party;

3
4

c.

has been placed beyond the jurisdiction of the Court;

d.

has been substantially diminished in value; or

e.

has been commingled with other property which cannot be

subdivided without difficulty;

it

is

the

United States

Code,

the

United

Section

853 (p),

Counts

3,

the said property listed above as being subject to forfeiture.

14

All

15

Title 18, United States Code, Section 982, and Title 28, United States

16

Code, Section 2461 (c).

DATED: July 25, 2014.

20
21
22

23
24

States

Foreper
LAURA E. DUFFY
United States Attorney
By:

Assistant U.S. Attorney

25
26
27
28
11

incorporated

and

13

United

as

through

forfeiture of any other property of the defendant up to the value of

21,

853 (p),

Title 21,

12

Title

Section

to

to

Title 18, United States Code, Section 982(b) (1) as to Count 4, to seek

of

Code,

as

pursuant

11

violation

States

States,

Title

in

United

of

10

17

21,

intent

Code,

by

Section 853,